CUBS LINEUP — Loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss. That’s how the Chicago Cubs have begun their season. So I guess that means we’re in store for a win this afternoon at Tropicana Field with Jameson Taillon the bump for Chicago.
Let’s take a look at the Cubs lineup against the 2x All-Star southpaw, Shane McClanahan.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
Nico Hoerner, 2B Alex Bregman, 3B Ian Happ, LF Carson Kelly, C Michael Busch, 1B Dansby Swanson, SS Matt Shaw, RF Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF Miguel Amaya, DHWith yet another lefty on the mound against the Cubs (seriously, where is Seiya), the Cubs are going with their versus lefties lineup yet again.
That means Nico Hoerner up top, Carson Kelly behind the plate, Miguel Amaya at DH, and moves down the order for Michael Busch and PCA.
Historically, Miguel Amaya hasn’t actually been that great against left-handed pitching, but he’s off to a good start this season and is the best right-handed option while Suzuki is still out.
Incidentally, this series of lefties has turned into a mini-break for Moises Ballesteros, who hasn’t started a game since March 31. He has come in to pinch-hit a few times, though. Still eager to see him get a nice, long runway.
Tampa Bay Rays Lineup:
Yandy Diaz, DH Jonathan Aranda, 1B Jake Fraley, RF Junior Caminero, 3B Chandler Simpson, LF Nick Fortes, C Cedric Mullins, CF Ben Williamson, 2B Taylor Walls, SSPitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
Generally speaking, I think we were all dreading Jameson Taillon’s first start of the season after what was an incredibly disappointing spring with depressed velo and truly horrendous results. But, surprise! Taillon was actually pretty good for a fifth starter.
Over 4.2 innings against Los Angeles (Anaheim) at Wrigley Field, Taillon kept the Angels scoreless on two hits and four walks against three strikeouts. There were two barrels allowed, but only four balls registered as “hard hit” according to Statcast.
With that said, yes, the velocity was WAY down still: 90.8 MPH. For reference, he sat at 93 MPH at the start of last season. In an era where the average fastball velocity is literally over 95 MPH, that’s brutally low. But Taillon is one of those crafty veteran starters who does occasionally find ways to succeed even without the best stuff. He did it well enough in his first start of the season. Hopefully, he’s got a little more magic left in him. Especially with Cade Horton on the IL…his importance just ticked up quite a bit.
Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan, LHP
Back in 2023, Shane McClanahan was one of the top young pitchers in the game with big strikeout numbers plus solid walk and groundball rates. Unfortunately, he ran into a couple of injuries that season, one of which required Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the entire 2024 season.
And then things got worse.
McClanahan was set to return to the Rays in 2025 as their Opening Day starter, but a triceps injury in the spring ultimately cost him the entire year AGAIN.
He’s back now, but he’s also coming off two completely missed seasons and is weeks away from turning 30. Just a brutal series of events for a guy who looked like he could be one of the next big things.
But that isn’t to say he’s toast. Indeed, McClanahan’s first start of the year against the Brewers didn’t go half bad, even if it was short: 4.2 IP, 2H, 2ER, 3BB, 4K. The one thing that does look troubling (for him), however, is that his fastball velocity was down to 95.3 MPH after sitting at 97 MPH earlier in his career. Because of that (and all the injuries), I’m not really sure what the Cubs should expect. But it’s probably not the “McClanahan of Old.” At least, with any luck.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs(4-5) vs Tampa Bay Rays (4-5) at 3:10 CT – Marquee Sports Network, 104.3 The Score
Cubs vs Rays – Key Injuries:
Chicago Cubs:
Seiya Suzuki, OF Jordan Wicks, SP Porter Hodge, RP Justin Steele, SP (60-Day IL) Shelby Miller, RP (60-Day IL) Tyler Austin, IF/OF (60-Day IL) Cade Horton, RHPTampa Bay Rays:
Gavin Lux, 2B Edwin Uceta, RP Ryan Pepiot, SP Garrett Cleavinger, RP Manuel Rodriguez, RP Steven Wilson, RPCubs vs Rays – Tropicana Field Weather Report
Location: Tropicana Field Temperature: Non-factor, domeWind: Non-factor, dome
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